androidauthority
ESPN appears to have quietly broadened its 4K HDR streaming support to Google TV, following its initial rollout on Apple TV last month. Early reports from Google TV users indicate that the experience is still problematic, with complaints about choppy playback and HDR failing to trigger correctly.
ESPN introduced its upgraded 4K HDR streams on iOS and Apple TV in September, with the promise that additional connected TV platforms would be added throughout the fall. Now, Google TV users are noticing 4K HDR badges within the ESPN app, indicating that the rollout has reached another major living-room platform.
However, receiving the badge and actually experiencing the promised picture quality appear to be two different matters. In a recent Reddit thread, a TCL Google TV owner reported that an ESPN app update introduced 4K HDR labels for supported programming, but their TV never switched into HDR mode, and the picture looked choppy rather than sharper. Another Android TV user described similar playback problems, with frequent pauses during 4K events.
The complaints are not confined to Google's platform. ESPN's 4K HDR rollout began on Apple TV in September, but users in the same discussion say supported games still do not consistently trigger 4K HDR there. Roku seems to be performing better, with one commenter stating that ESPN's streams automatically trigger HDR across multiple Roku devices.
The platform's 4K HDR lineup includes Monday Night Football, NBA and NHL games, select college football and US Open tennis events, plus Super Bowl LXI. ESPN previously said more platforms would come online through the fall, so Google TV's apparent addition is still a welcome step. The rollout also follows ESPN Unlimited's full integration into YouTube TV, giving eligible subscribers another way to watch ESPN content.
For Google TV owners, though, ESPN's next task is ensuring that the shiny new 4K HDR badge consistently delivers on its promise.
Originally reported by androidauthority.